The vacation home of US Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Union Pier, Michigan was targeted by vandals who defaced the property with antisemitic graffiti. The incident was reported to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office on Friday night. The graffiti, which read "NAZIS," was discovered by the head of the homeowners organization in Emanuel's residential community.

Emanuel, a prominent Jewish politician, expressed his gratitude to the community for their support in condemning hatred and bigotry. In a text to the Chicago Sun-Times, he stated that his family was proud of how their friends, neighbors, and the community had rallied to their support. Undersheriff Charles E. Heit confirmed that there are currently no leads on the vandalism and stated that additional patrols are being conducted in the area.

CNN Senior Political Commentator David Axelrod, who worked with Emanuel during the Obama administration, expressed his outrage at the incident. He called the vandalism “despicable” and “disgusting” and urged people to stop the hate and antisemitism, emphasizing the dangerous consequences it can lead to.

The incident comes at a time when Americans have reported an increase in antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab racism following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks and the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in October that antisemitism in the United States was reaching "sort of historic levels." CNN reached out to Emanuel for comment, but there has been no response.

The FBI director's testimony also highlighted recent failed attempts by Iran-backed terrorist groups to carry out assassinations of high-ranking current and former US government officials. The testimony further emphasized the need to address the rise in antisemitism and hate crimes.

The State Department acknowledged the rise in antisemitic rhetoric and incidents over the past two decades, which has surged in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel. While supporting freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, the department condemned antisemitic imagery and rhetoric, warning that it has the potential to incite violence.

The Gordon Beach Homeowners Association, where Emanuel's vacation home is located, released a statement condemning the hate crime and expressing solidarity against prejudice, bigotry, racism, hatred, and violence. They encouraged anyone who has experienced an act of hate to report it to the Berrien County Police.

Rahm Emanuel, who served as Obama's chief of staff and as Chicago's mayor, was confirmed by Senate vote to serve as the US ambassador to Japan in 2022. The incident at his Michigan home serves as a reminder of the growing concern over antisemitism and the need for communities to come together to combat hatred and intolerance.